NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
this is a formal notification regarding my vehicle that I purchased at House Of Imports on February 27, 2021. A Mercedes Benz A-Class 220 year 2021, VIN #W1K3G4EB7MJ290124. Shortly after purchase I experienced several safety concerns about the vehicle. The first and main concern are while driving vehicle the accelerator stopped working ,vehicle would not move forward or back which put my life in a dangerous situation due to this isssue that occured while on a main street with incoming traffic. Immediately I made an a report with dealer and car was taken to dealership ( House Of Imports) . The advisor told me it was a software issue and they updated the system which they said vehicle will not have that issue again. Several things were replaced which ai have the repair documents. The second issue with the vehicle was about 3 weeks from this date today I turned on my vehicle to exit my garage I put the gear on Reverse and it did not move , I tried to move thr car forward meaning putting the gear on Drive and still nothing happened, after several attempts nothing happened. I decided to turn off the vehicle and a few hours later turned it back on and I was able to drive. The third issue was just last week January 19, 2026 I turned on vehicle to exit my garage and again the car would not move back or forward. I tried changing gears multiple times for about 20 minutes but car never moved it seemed completely stuck. The following day I had to get the car towed to House Of Imports, and it has been at dealer since then. Due to this situation I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle, I don't consider the vehicle is in proper safety functioning condition and it's not corresponding to the value paid. For this matter I respectfully request an immediate solution.
While driving my lease vehicle on two separate days, it completely shut down while in motion with no prior warning. The first incident occurred while crossing a MAX train intersection in downtown Portland. The engine stopped mid intersection, emitted a strong mechanical odor, ticking noises began, and dashboard alerts appeared. I could not restart or shift the vehicle into neutral. It was stuck, blocking the intersection. Although hazard lights were flashing, the vehicle appeared completely undamaged, so other drivers didn’t realize it was disabled. Police were called to the scene, and we had to remain alert for oncoming trains and traffic weaving around us. Four days later, while driving about 30 MPH on Murray Boulevard near Cornell Rd, a 4-lane hwy near a freeway off-ramp the car failed again in the exact same way. The engine shut down in active traffic. The smell, ticking sounds, and dashboard messages all returned. The vehicle once again would not shift into neutral or respond to restarts. This failure happened with traffic traveling 30-45MPH. Despite police presence and hazard lights, multiple near-accidents occurred because the vehicle looked fully intact and other drivers didn’t understand it was inoperable. Mercedes-Benz claimed this was a starter motor issue, which is inaccurate. A starter motor does not cause a moving vehicle to shut off, nor does it lock out neutral. These symptoms point to a critical failure of the powertrain or electrical system. Most alarming is the inability to manually override the system and move the vehicle to safety. Bystanders and even police were unable to shift or push it. This is a serious design flaw that turns a technical malfunction into a dangerous roadside emergency. This vehicle was in pristine condition with no damage or misuse. I kept up with all maintenance and care. Technology should never prevent human intervention during failure. These incidents placed lives at serious risk.
Rear view camera says it is inoperative when I put it in reverse. I understand that a number of Mercedes models have been recalled due to a software issue but the dealer tells me my car is not on the list. The problem I have is identical to the other models. My car should be on the list
there’s a recall, and I need it fixed asap, i called mercedes and they said they don’t know when they’ll be able to do it, that it could take “years” ??????
The driver’s seatbelt failed to properly engage during a high-speed rear-end collision allowing his head and face to strike the steering wheel causing a loss of consciousness and other symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Thus far the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer but it is believed the seat belt was inspected by EMTs responding to the scene. Additional documentation will be provided when received. There were no warnings or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. This report is filed on behalf of the owner and driver by their attorney.
Traveling at 65 MPH in the right-hand lane * Driving Assistance ON * Traffic Sign Assist ON * Speed Limit Adoption ON Staying in the right-hand lane, I pass by an offramp Sudden deceleration to 20 MPH – Phantom braking This has happened twice traveling past the same offramp. Since, I have turned the Speed Limit Adoption OFF Note that this particular off ramp has more than one speed limit sign (yellow) visible from the freeway. My guess is that the Mercedes is reading the off ramp signs and interpreting them to be for the freeway and not for the off ramp. I consider the sudden deceleration to be dangerous
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz A220. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle, the rearview camera screen was blank. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was made aware that NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) was associated with the VIN. The dealer informed the contact that she was added to the waiting list. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A220. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the recall but referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the recall was an over the air update (OTA) but had not provided a time frame for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz A220. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact experienced the failure listed in the recall. Parts distribution disconnect.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026